A Suggested Course Of Study For Eighth Grade General Mathematics In Matagorda County Elementary And High Schools

Education of today in public schools is becoming child-conscious, whether it be formal or informal, curricular or extracurricular. Since this is true the writer endeavors to suggest a course of study which is practical for the schools in the particular locality designated in the title of this thesis. Living in a democracy we must strive to reach the masses. One of the major aims of mathematics should be the development in pupils of an appreciation of numbers as a tool. As Dr.Judd points out, one function of mathematics should show the pupil how the number system has enabled the human race to bring order, arrangement, and precision to the consideration of the quantitative aspects of the environment* It is realized more and more that the problem of our schools is one of making mathematics real to the child and not principally one of the teaching processes in mathematics. This is an attempt to give the child the type of mathematics that will help him to make a living if conditions prevent him from continuing in school and to build a good foundation for further study in mathematics. Emphasis shifted from mere skill in manipulation to an understanding of principles and applied problems that are real to the child. Habits of accuracy, neatness end est bating, and checking results should be developed. This thesis is written with the trend of modem education and present-day curriculum in mind